Accounting & Finance | Oldham College

What will I learn on my apprenticeship?

Accountancy Level 2 Standard

This qualification builds the foundation of accountancy practice for apprentices. Apprentices will gain skills and knowledge in accounting modules - four separate units plus an assessment. The units are: Bookkeeping Transactions, Bookkeeping Controls, Elements of Costing and Using Accounting Software.

Entry requirements: Grade 3 in maths and English, or equivalent, as a minimum. Apprentices without Level 1 English and maths will need to achieve this level and take the test for Level 2 prior to their end-point assessment.

Accountancy Level 3 Standard

This standard builds upon basic accountancy practice for apprentices. Apprentices will gain further skills and knowledge in accounting. This qualification is made up of four separate units plus an assessment. At this level, two additional units will be tested - Ethics for Accounting and Spreadsheets for Accounting, in addition to Advanced Bookkeeping, Final Accounts Preparation, Indirect Tax, and Management Accounting.

Entry requirements: Must have a Level 2 Accounting qualification or an A Level in Accounting. Minimum Grade 3 in maths and English, or equivalent.

Accountancy Level 4 Standard

This higher-level standard will develop the apprentice’s knowledge, skills, and behaviours within a senior accounting role, such as managing budgets or drafting financial statements.

Entry requirements: Assistant Accountant AAT Level 3 qualification, or current experience working in accounting at a supervisory level. GCSE grades A–C (9–4) or Functional Skills Level 2 in maths and English.

How will I be assessed?

Level 2 - This qualification is delivered on and off the job; day release is one day per week. Industry specialists with recent knowledge and awareness of current accounting practices deliver the qualification and prepare and assess the apprentice for their assessments. It is tested via four separate exams and an end test, as well as Functional Skills English and maths exams.

Level 3 - This qualification is delivered on and off the job; day release is one day per week. Personalised milestone planners outline course content for all aspects of the apprenticeship. Industry specialists with recent knowledge and awareness of current practices work closely with employers and apprentices to develop and prepare the apprentice for their end-point assessment (EPA). It is tested via five separate exams and an end test. There is also a portfolio of work to be created, and a reflective discussion, which is externally assessed and moderated.

Level 4 - This qualification is delivered both on and off the job; day release is one day per week. Industry specialists with up-to-date knowledge and awareness of current accounting practices work closely with employers and apprentices to develop and prepare the apprentice for their end-point assessment (EPA). Apprentices will develop a wide range of skills, which will help them to progress in their chosen career path. It is tested via five separate exams and an end test. There is also a portfolio of work to be created, and a role simulation, which is externally assessed and moderated.

What will my apprenticeship lead to?

At Level 2, apprentices will gain a range of skills to help them build a career path and progress naturally to a Level 3 course. Completion of Level 2 can lead to employed positions such as:

Cashier
Credit Control Clerk
Finance Assistant
Purchase Ledger Clerk
Sales Ledger Clerk.

At Level 3, on completion of the course there is an option to progress to a higher Level 4 Professional Accounting/Tax Technician apprenticeship. It can also lead to employed positions such as:

Trainee Accounting Technician;
Assistant Accountant.

Completion of a Level 4 apprenticeship can lead to employed positions such as:

Assistant Auditor
Assistant Management Accountant
Assistant Financial Accountant
Commercial Analyst
Payroll Manager
Senior Bookkeeper.

Cost of my apprenticeship

Contribution Rules

16-18 Where the employer has under 50 employees and they are not a levy paying employer the learner is fully funded by the government, this rule also applies to 19-24 year old who are Care Leavers or in possession of an Educational Healthcare Plan
16-18 Where the employer has 50 or more employees and they are not a levy payer there will be a 5% charge with the government paying the remaining 95%. The 5% contribution will be invoiced as per the table above.
16-18 Where the employer is a levy payer, 100% of the funding will be claimed from their digital account on a monthly basis where the payments are scheduled according to the length of the learner's programme
19+ All employers that are not a levy payers there will be a 5% charge with the government paying the remaining 95%. The 5% contribution will be invoiced as per the table above.
19+ Where the employer is a levy payer, 100% of the funding will be claimed from their digital account on a monthly basis where the payments are scheduled according to the length of the learner's programme

Incentives

16-18 The employer will receive £1,000 incentive, 50% at 90 days following enrolment and 50% at 365 days following enrolment assuming the student is still employed and active on the Apprenticeship. The employer will need to invoice the college for this at that time and confirm their eligibility to make the claims at that point. This applies to Apprenticeship Frameworks only and not new Standards.
19-24 Where an employer has an Apprentice under the age of 25 where their earnings are below £43,000 per year the employer does not have to pay National Insurance Contributions (NIC's). Correct at the time of publication, check the HMRC section on gov.uk website

How to apply

You can apply for this programme via the Apply Now button, at the top.

If this course area is available as an apprenticeship, this will show under 'Study Option' on the right-hand side, just below the Apply Now button. You can view all of our apprenticeship vacanices and subjects by clicking the 'Apprenticeships' in the top menu.